HFES submitted written testimony to multiple congressional Appropriations Subcommittees in March calling for robust investment in science and technology at federal agencies to strengthen HF/E expertise and processes in critical sectors. HFES submits testimony to Congress in support of its appropriations priorities each fiscal year. Congress considers testimony from HFES and other advocates as it considers funding in the fiscal year (FY) 2021 Appropriations process. HFES’s FY 2021 priorities include:

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)HFES’s written testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies advocates that the federal government provide robust funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

HFES advocates for the Subcommittee to provide $471 million for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in FY 2021. HFES’s testimony discussed the important work that AHRQ does in protecting and promoting patient safety and care, and AHRQ’s role in identifying and evaluating efficiencies to save lives and reduce costs. HFES also expressed its desire to the Subcommittee that it continue to fund AHRQ as an independent agency. Congress has repeatedly rejected proposals by the Trump Administration to integrate the Agency into the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

In addition, HFES’s testimony calls for no less than $354.8 million for NIOSH to support its Education and Research Centers (ERCs), and sustain its academic degree programs and research opportunities to train the next generation of professionals. HFES and the research community have successfully advocated for Congress to reject eliminations and cuts to NIOSH previously proposed by the Trump Administration. HFES states that cuts to NIOSH may lead to eliminations of essential life-saving occupational safety and health education services to U.S. businesses, ultimately exposing workers to increased risk of injury or illness and raising healthcare costs.

Human Factors Research at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT)HFES also submitted written testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies, urging the Subcommittee to provide robust funding for HF/E research at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and at the Department of Transportation (DOT) in FY 2021. HFES’s written testimony includes a number of recommendations from Dr. Mica Endsley’s December 2019 testimony for a hearing in front of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to avoid tragedies such as the Boeing 737 Max 8 crashes. In its testimony, HFES advocates for funding to implement recommendations put forth by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Joint Authorities Technical Review (JATR), and additional policies to expand the use of Human Factors research. HFES’s testimony also recommends that Congress provide robust funding for HF/E research at modal agencies across DOT, such as the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to address other emerging technologies such as automated vehicles (AV).

Sources and Additional Information:

The full document of HFES’ written testimony to the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies for AHRQ and NIOSH can be found here.

The full document of HFES’ written testimony to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies for the FAA can be found here.